Rafah crossing officially reopens

ISTANBUL

The Rafah border crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border officially resumed operations on Monday, with 50 people expected to leave Gaza and 50 others set to return, according to Egyptian official media.

Al-Qahera News reported on Monday that an initial group of Palestinians had arrived at the crossing.

The Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing began operating on a trial basis on Sunday after being completely closed for more than 18 months because of Israeli restrictions.

About 50 Palestinians were expected to enter Gaza, while 150 patients and their companions were set to leave the enclave for medical treatment in Egypt, according to Israeli media. Gaza health officials estimate that about 22,000 patients are waiting for the crossing to fully reopen.

Later in the day, the Egyptian broadcaster reported that a number of Palestinians who arrived at the Rafah border crossing on Monday morning crossed through the Egyptian side to the Palestinian side after completing procedures, without providing further details.

The channel said that “Egyptian authorities received on Monday the first group of injured and ill Palestinians arriving from Gaza via the Egyptian side of the Rafah land crossing,” in order to receive the necessary treatment at Egyptian hospitals.

It added that Egyptian authorities took “measures to facilitate procedures for the injured and sick Palestinians,” and also “completed logistical and administrative arrangements” to remove obstacles facing the wounded and their companions and ease their passage.

Earlier on Monday, Egypt’s Ministry of Health said in a statement that about 150 hospitals nationwide are ready to receive Palestinian patients, along with the deployment of between 250 and 300 ambulances.

Israel has controlled the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing since May 2024, during its military campaign in Gaza that began in October 2023.

* Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.